held up, ridden and lost touch from 6th
chased leader, led 5th, ridden and headed next, soon weakened
held up, headway 6th, hard ridden 2 out, led flat, driven out
prominent, led 6th to after 3 out, soon weakened
led to 5th, mistake and weakened 3 out
prominent, led and mistake 2 out, headed and not quicken flat
prominent to 6th, tailed off from 3 out
held up in rear, headway 6th, led after 3 out to next, weakened approaching last
A decent handicap hurdle to starts the day's proceedings with the weights headed by Adelphi Theatre. Richard Rowe's gelding still held every chance when falling two out at Newbury last month and, off the same mark should again be thereabouts. Josh Gifford's indeed looks a chaser in the making but needs more experience over timber before tackling the larger obstacles. He has to be respected on his handicap debut having still looked a touch green when winning a Sandown novice event in March, however, the likelihood is that the seven-year-old may need his first run since then. Nicky Henderson's Non So is another making his debut in this grade and is difficult to evaluate. The four-year-old looked progressive last term though and should not be discounted lightly. Martin Pipe's Cesaria returned to form when a close second to Brooklyn's Gold at Huntingdon last month but has harshly been raised 6lbs by the handicapper for that effort and he looks opposable in this tougher contest. Tikram has slipped to an attractive mark and warrants respect but the TEAMtalk vote goes to Sonevafushi. Venetia Williams has been patient with this ex-French flat winner, who looks potentially well treated for his handicap debut. Fitness should not be a problem as the stable's horses normally go well fresh and under 11st 4lb he should go close.
